Prevalence of Trichomoniasis in Women Attending a Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic in Mumbai

Introduction: Trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis, is a common but curable sexually transmitted disease (STD) affecting millions around the world. It can cause a variety of symptoms in women, namely, vaginal discharge, blood spotting, itching, redness and pain during sexual intercourse or urination. Trichomoniasis carries with it complications such as cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory diseases and tubal infertility, transmission to the baby, predisposition to human immunodeficiency virus and other viral infections. Objective: The present study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection in women attending an STD clinic in Mumbai with complaints of abnormal vaginal discharge. Materials and Methods: High vaginal swabs were collected using a sterile lubricated speculum. The swabs were dipped in saline suspension and transported to the laboratory within 30 min. The centrifuged deposit was observed under phase contrast microscope (×40) for evidence of the parasite. Results: T. vaginalis was detected in 44.6% (74/166) of the patients. Of those who tested positive for trichomoniasis 64.5% belonged to the 21-30 age groups. The prevalence was 14.3% among the pregnant women. Burning micturition was the most common complaint noted (68.2%) followed by erythema (38.6%) and vulval pruritus (38.6%). Conclusion: Health education, routine screening, treatment of symptomatic and periodic presumptive treatment of asymptomatic women as well as her partner/s are necessary for effective control of the infection and other STDs at large.